Signs point to copyright reform announcement

Several weeks ago, aboard the Prime Minister's plane headed to New Orleans for the "three amigos" summit, the affable and impressive Industry Minister Jim Prentice came back to chat to reporters.

He was asked about the long-awaited copyright-reform legislation, which has been rumoured to be making an appearance since last December. This is an issue of particular interest to the United States and its ambassador to Canada, David Wilkins.

Here's an interview from last December, in which Wilkins talks briefly about it.

It's also a huge issue in cyberspace and the reigning expert is Michael Geist, who columnizes in the Star. Geist reported on his blog yesterday that Government House Leader Peter Van Loan has been ordering folks to direct all correspondence on copyright reform to Prentice's office.

Obviously, something's on the way. And sure enough, one of my eagle-eyed colleagues was walking through 240 Sparks Street this morning, where the minister's office is located, and spotted people eyeing some big white signs that proclaim "Made in Canada Copyright Reform." So it seems an announcement is imminent.

And, just to further speculate, is it possible that Prentice wants to get this out of the way before he's shuffled to a more demanding portfolio? It's rumoured that Prentice is headed to something big, such as Finance or Foreign Affairs.

Comments

[DavidC]

You say: "reigning expert is Michael Geist, who columnizes in the Star" Columnizes, ugh! (Though it's a great column!)

[Adam]

"The affable and impressive Industry Minister Jim Prentice came back to chat to reporters."

Wow could you be more personally biased Susan??

Prentice is a political hack who is obviously paid for by media since he seems to be actively ignoring Canadians with regards to the copyright update which will likely make thousands of canadians "criminals" in order to support an industry which refuses to update its business plans.

[jad]

According to Meriam-Webster "columnize" is not a word.

Maybe we need some English reform instead of just copyright reform. What is your problem with writing "Michael Geist, who contributes a column in the Star" ?

[Mack]

hmmm, I have been reading the comments on your blog for long enough to determine that you have been accused of biases across the spectrum... so I can only say... "well done!"...

[Wascally wabbit]

Such nitpicking putative copy editors Eh?
I've pointed out in other places in your blog that the Harper government should listen to Michael Geist's "ruminations" (that OK for you guys?) on Communications and Internet Law...
Now - if only they would listen to Prof. Alisdair Roberts of Syracuse University - the man that created the database that tracks Access Requests - and practice openness of government (the principal claim that they laid before the Canadian public when they were elected)..by making Access to Information requests easier to obtain...
Heck - might even convince a few voters that they DON'T have a hidden agenda....

[MJ]

Why bother with the link to the transcript? Any reference to the minister talking briefly about copyright legislation is at the very end and provides absolutely nothing worth the effort of looking. However, if you are interested in immigration and border crossing issues, then definitely check it out.

[Toby]

jad, perhaps you should get your own column, and then you can 'contribute' it using your own form of English.

I have met Prentice and he is both affable and impressive. It remains to be seen whether her will ignore Canadians with regards to copyright.